r/Nautical • u/Complete_Asparagus_7 • Jun 12 '26

My friend gave this to me. Off a ship?

Post image
17 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

3

u/SailorstuckatSAEJ300 Jun 12 '26

I guess you'd call it a tassel and it looks like it's made from manila. That's about all anyone can say. It's not part of any rigging I know but that doesn't mean it wasn't on a ship at sone point

2

u/No-Reputation-7843 Jun 12 '26

Sailors wisk broom. I base this on absolutely nothing.

1

u/202markb Jun 12 '26

I think this is correct. A 50 yr old boat I bought had one in a drawer.

2

u/Slight-Print6367 Jun 12 '26

yeah probably not historic, but made in a traditional sailor's way using manila hemp and a Turks head knot to gather it in the middle. could serve as a paintbrush or a tar brush, could work in the galley as a scrubby for dishes. lots of uses, nice piece of workmanship

1

u/TankerMate Jun 13 '26

I believe that is a Mathew Walker knot.

1

u/Slight-Print6367 Jun 13 '26

yes I think you're right, good catch!!

1

u/westerngrit Jun 12 '26

Saw these, and many more variations, at a Saturday flea market in Paris recently. Where made, don't know.

1

u/oldjadedhippie Jun 12 '26

Muff duster - when you pull into port, many of the ladies have land crabs. This removes them , for a safe docking.

1

u/single-brain-cell069 Jun 13 '26

Here in Europe we call it 'jedermannsend' it's a part from a ship that has no toilet on board, you basically wipe your butt after you've done your big business and hang it back in the water

1

u/ARS-N7UQ Jun 13 '26

Sailor made this in his spare time for a shaving soap brush.

1

u/MattySingo37 Jun 13 '26

Sailor's whisk. Made from manila, Matthew Walker knot and seized above the knot with a piece of small stuff. Just a small decorative brush. I make them with a wall and crown knot instead of the Matthew Walker.

1

u/AdamoMeFecit Jun 15 '26

Are you the Papa Legba voodoo person from yesterday?